One of the challenges facing enthusiasts with a family is locating a classic that caters to their needs. If you fit that mold and also include affordability in your selection criteria, this 1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate deserves a close look. Admittedly, it needs some love, but it is a rock-solid turnkey proposition with a healthy V8 under the hood and the space to seat seven. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting the Buick listed here on Craigslist in Lakeside, California. And just how cheap is cheap? How does $4,995 sound to you?

Badge revivals are not a recent trend in the motoring world, with Buick reintroducing the Roadmaster in 1991 after a thirty-three-year absence. Based on the General Motors B-Platform, the latest version of the Roadmaster remained on sale until 1996. This Buick rolled off the line in 1995, a year when only 5,522 people handed over their cash to drive away in an Estate. It has spent its life in California, allowing it to remain rust-free. However, the trade-off is that its Light Driftwood paint has developed a very baked appearance. The faux woodgrain is no better, which means that the Wagon is a prime candidate for a cosmetic restoration. The process shouldn’t be difficult, because there are no major panel imperfections requiring attention. I probably wouldn’t attempt to source the correct woodgrain if I were tackling the project, because plenty of vinyl wrap companies could supply and apply something close for a fraction of the cost of the genuine article. The plastic looks remarkably good for its age, and there are no issues with the tinted glass.

Buick ensured that the 1995 Roadmaster Estate offered respectable performance, with this Wagon featuring the LT1 version of the 5.7-liter V8. It sends 260hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission, with the company offering power-assisted steering and brakes as standard fare. This Estate also benefits from GT suspension and its self-leveling system. That will allow this classic to make the best use of the hitch receiver if towing is on the buyer’s agenda. The buyer confirms that this Buick runs and drives perfectly, making it a turnkey proposition. The images suggest that the deal includes a small collection of additional parts, which most buyers will happily welcome.

Buick equipped the Roadmaster’s interior quite nicely, and the new owner will reap the benefit of this approach. This Wagon features airbags, ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, cruise control, and a tilt wheel. The seller has added a modern Bluetooth stereo that is said to sound amazing. However, the party piece could be the third-row seating, allowing this classic to carry seven people comfortably. The Tan leather upholstered surfaces are in good condition for a family Wagon of this vintage, and the carpet has survived quite well. It is unclear what hides below the dash cover, but it is possible that the Californian sun has exacted a toll on the upper dash. Still, I guess that we can’t have it all at the asking price.

This 1995 Buick Roadmaster is the type of classic that allows the entire family to become involved in the ownership experience. It needs cosmetic TLC, but many enthusiasts could develop their skills by tackling the cosmetic restoration in a home workshop. Doing so during the upcoming winter months would have the Wagon ready for next summer’s family adventures. There is little evidence that local manufacturers are planning a Station Wagon revival, meaning that it falls to vehicles like this Buick to fill that domestic void. That makes it worth more than a passing glance.